Re: [CR] Classy Names

(Example: Books)

Date: Sun, 07 Nov 2004 12:53:34 -0800
From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR] Classy Names
References: <20041107173854.8722.qmail@web53606.mail.yahoo.com> <418E7687.4010903@new.rr.com>


John Thompson wrote:
>
> Michael Butler wrote:
> > I have often wondered over the years why the allure for Italian frames. Surely it can't all be down to quality as they turned out some pretty dreadful stuff. Yes they did turn out a few top notch frames and some ot these were even made from Reynolds tubing.
> > I think a lot of it is down to the cache of the name. Just like Armani, Gucci and Versace in the fashion world Cinelli, Colnalgo and Pinarrello have that exotic pretty ring to them. After all what poseur would want to ride a Pratt, Higgins or Benetfink all equal in their time to Italian exotica but woefully short of street cred! No having once owned a frightful Fiorelli I will stick by the awfully named British frames.
> > But Italian Sergal morino wool gansey's yes please.
>
>
> Console yourself in the realization that it is nothing new. A British
> manufacturer of bicycle equipment marketed their products under the name
> "Barelli" for many years...

How 'bout this for a switch? Back in the first half of the last century, British parts were world leaders with BSA and Chater Lea components and Reynolds tubes. Enough so that the Italian pedal company Noli named their pedals "Sheffield Sprints"; verrry British sounding!

Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California

.